Food Smokers and Smoking Tips/Tricks/Techniques

Dusted off the old pellet pooper....one with SPG, the other with Pitfaced bbq rub!


Now....it’s beer:30! Gotta start early cause the time change tomorrow!

 

Y’all prefer spares or baby backs?? Went spares this time cause the baby backs were looking awfully small!

I’ve had success with both, and as of late spares have been my choice.

What about smoke? Still on a pecan kick!

 

looks good already!

 

I like spare personally. Meatier.

St. Louis too but I tend to trim those. That big fatty meat part...mmmm

 

Round here the BBs tend to be meatier. But that curved bone gets my rosy cheeks all greasy. Then the cats try to eat my face!

 

They make covers. Mine is under a roof but a storm will blow water on it, so...cover.

 

On a kick? You've been on a hell of a roll lately especially this week! And all looked great finished

Depends, if feeding much more than myself then Spares. Especially if that is THE meal.

But I have a fondness for baby backs, slaw and beans. And sweet tea but shouldn't really drink it anymore. Beer works though

 

Never thought about that actually. Figured the hoppers were reasonably moisture resistant given the nature of the fuel. Same for the controllers.

If a cover isn’t really enough then maybe I’m better off waiting on that until we move and I either have a better spot for one or can build one.

 

A full rack of beef ribs from a friend's fresh kill this morning. Running out of day, but I might try and smoke some today. I had to sawzall them in half to be able to fit them in the WSM.

Here it is next to the thigh for size comparison.

 

No doubt. I could see that being a problem. I haven’t noticed any kind of sealing in YouTube videos though. Next time I see a Traeger in a store I’ll check and see.

Weatherproofing didn’t really occur to me. Used to my Weber that gives zero fucks about water!

 

You looking at a pooper??

Never had issues with water dripping into my hopper. The hopper lid on mine hangs over the edges. But do need to keep the bag of pellets dry! Like @scottalot said, a drop of water and they plump up and are useless to you!

 

Doctored up some Bush’s original beans. Damn wind wreaking havoc with my temps!

Wanted to go 275ish, but the kettle is dead set on running about 300-302.

Don’t like choking off the grill too much, seems like you get a bitter type smoke then.

Guess I could’ve started with less lit coals.

 

Kinda.

Would be more attractive with more temp range but I get that’s not necessarily their purpose. 500 would be great. Seems like GMG may get close to that at least.

 

I’ve heard great things about them! No experience with them though.

I’ve had a Traeger Junior and currently a Louisiana Grills pooper.

Traeger was great! Got my $$ out of it, and my brother still has it. It was just TOO small!

My Louisiana LG 700 has been great.

Not sure what your budget is, but a guy down here makes custom poopers! Built like a damn tank! 1/4in thick walls. They’re $$, but I’m sure will last forever.

Definitely love the convenience of no babysitting! Set it and forget it!



Edit:
I get my pooper to 500! Makes tasty pizzas!

 

Looks good. Similar to what I am planning with Bush's for today also. Just some diced onion, bell peppers, and a handful of brown sugar.

 

I was thinking about the Traeger Jr. for my brother as a housewarmning gift. Would you say it is sufficient if it is feeding just him and his fiancee?

 

Threw in some fine diced garlic, a little mustard, shot of bourbon, some bbq sauce, and sprinkled some Pitfaced rub in there as well. We’ll see what happens!

 

give it a couple of shakes of Worcestershire sauce and tiny sprinkle of red pepper flakes on next lid pull

 

For sure.

I guess I should have been more descriptive with that statement.

Works great for everything, EXCEPT a turkey or too large a brisket.

I did a small maybe 9lb turkey one time.
The door was basically resting on the bird! Plus you have to account for vertical clearance from grate to the top of the grill.

3 racks of ribs fit snug in there.